Welcomeback to the Dodge Heritage Series, a 10-part exploration of Dodge brand history. This is Part 8 in the series.

The 1990s brought a new vision at Dodge, with fresh ideas and a vibrant new product line. The roster of all-new models, marketed as “The New Dodge,” included the Viper, Durango and Intrepid, to name but a few.

Introduced in 1993, the Intrepid (above) was the Dodge version of Chrysler’s stunning “Cab Forward” LH platform, a total rethink of the traditional family sedan. All four wheels were pushed out to the corners of the chassis for maximum passenger space, while other people-first features included standard driver and passenger airbags and a child safety seat built into the center of the rear bench seat. Two available V-6 engines, 3.3 and 3.6 liters, were coupled to an advanced electionic automatic transmission.

The 1997 model year brought the Durango, Dodge’s hot new entry in the full-size SUV category. Replacing the utility-oriented Ramcharger, the stylish Durango (below) was packed with all the latest luxury and convenience features, including three-row seating, heated mirrors and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. For performance-minded drivers, an R/T version with 5.9 liter Magnum V-8 was introduced.

Speaking of performance: In January 1992, the incredible Dodge Viper became available to the general public. One of the most potent sports cars ever produced in America, the two-seater was powered by an exotic, all-aluminum V-10 engine and boasted race-tuned suspension and brakes. Now in its fifth design generation, the 2014 Viper retains its crown as one of the world’s great sports cars.

Read Part 7 of the Heritage Series for more Dodge history. Also, be sure to visit the Heritage Wall section of the Dodge Power Rallye Tour, a traveling Dodge-based experience showcasing the best in performance vehicles. You can find the schedule of Tour events here.

2 Comments

You should mention the 224 hp 2.2 Turbo 3 Dodge Daytona Iroc RT and the Dodge Spirit RT those ran low 14’s and 5.6 0-60 mph…
Awesome for the period and I always liked the Daytona’s,and owned a few over the years (early 1990’s) .
Were good reliable daily drivers (always had older Mopars bought/sold ect..and drove my 300,Cuda,Charger with 440’s more back then) My parents had a 1990 Daytona ES 2.5 Turbo,that ran 15 flat in the 1/4 and 7 seconds flat 0-60,great for a 4 cyl back then..Though,it was as quick as a 1967 Chrysler 383 2 barrel,yes 2 barrel with single exhaust and 2.76 gears..those were some side by side races my Dad and myself had,back in 91 or so..Anywho, the 90 Daytona had 160,000 miles on it when he sold it in 2001,it was their 3rd newer car,plus he always had 2 or so older Mopars as I do.Very reliable and we seen that car for several years after driving around (tinted windows and back window had a old style Dodge sticker on it).